Compositions, devices and methods for hydrogen generation

Abstract

Methods and systems for hydrogen generation from solid hydrogen storage compositions which generate hydrogen in an exothermic reaction wherein the heat released can be absorbed by solid endothermic compositions are disclosed. The solid hydrogen storage compositions comprise mixtures of chemical hydrides and water surrogate compounds. Fuel cartridges suitable for use with compositions which generate hydrogen upon the application of thermal initiation and methods for operating the fuel cartridges are also disclosed.

1. A process for generating hydrogen, comprising:
 providing at least one endothermic composition; 
 providing at least one exothermic composition, wherein the exothermic composition comprises: a mixture of at least one chemical hydride and at least one water surrogate source; 
 providing thermal energy to the exothermic composition to thermally initiate an exothermic reaction that generates hydrogen and heat; 
 wherein the exothermic composition does not react until thermally initiated and contains essentially no water prior to initiation; and, 
 wherein the heat from the exothermic reaction initiates and sustains hydrogen generation from the endothermic composition. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1  further comprising heating the exothermic composition to a temperature of between about 313 K to about 773 K. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 2 , wherein the temperature is between about 373 K to about 473 K. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 2 , wherein the temperature is between about 393 K to about 453 K. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the endothermic composition generates a gas comprising carbon dioxide. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 5 , wherein the endothermic composition comprises a carbonate compound. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the endothermic composition is a metal hydride. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the endothermic composition is a mixture comprising at least one chemical hydride and at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal amide compound. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the endothermic composition is an at least partially hydrogenated pi-conjugated analogue. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is selected from the group consisting of boron hydrides, ionic hydride salts, and aluminum hydrides. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is a boron hydride selected from the group consisting of borohydride salts [M(BH 4 ) n ], triborohydride salts [M(B 3 H s ) n ], decahydrodecaborate salts [M 2 (B 10 H 10 ) n ], tridecahydrodecaborate salts [M(B 10 H 13 )n], dodecahydrododecaborate salts [M 2 (B 12 H 12 )n], and octadecahydroicosaborate salts [M 2 (B 20 H 18 )n], where M is an alkali metal cation, alkaline earth metal cation, aluminum cation, zinc cation, or ammonium cation, and n is equal to the charge of the cation. 
     
     
       12. The process of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is a boron hydride selected from the group consisting of decaborane(14) (B 10 H 14 ) and tetraborane(10) (B 4 H 10 ). 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is an ammonia borane selected from the group consisting of compounds of formula NHxBHy and NHxRBHy, wherein x and yare independently an integer from 1 to 4 and do not have to be the same, and R is a methyl or ethyl group; NH 3 B 3 H 7 , and NH(CH 3 ) 2 BH 3 . 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is an ionic hydride selected from the group consisting of hydrides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and zinc metal having the general formula MH n  wherein M is a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, and zinc(II), and n is equal to the charge of the cation. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is an aluminum hydride selected from the group consisting of alane and aluminum hydride salts. 
     
     
       16. The process of  claim 15 , wherein the aluminum hydride salts have the formula M(AIH 4 )n, where M is an alkali metal cation, alkaline earth metal cation, aluminum cation, zinc cation, or ammonium cation, and n is equal to the charge of the cation. 
     
     
       17. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water surrogate source is selected from the group consisting of the hydroxide salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals, and the hydroxide compounds of Group 13 elements. 
     
     
       18. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water surrogate source is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal dihydrogen phosphate salts; alkali metal dihydrogen citrate salts; sulfate salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals; phosphate salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals; and compounds of formula M y [O p X(OH) q ] n  where M is an alkali metal or NH4, q is an integer from 0 to 3, p is an integer from 0 to 3, y is the valence of the anion [O p X(OH) q ], and n is the valence of M, and X is S, P, or Se. 
     
     
       19. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water surrogate source is selected from the group consisting of alcohols; polymeric alcohols; silicates, silica sulfuric acid; acid chloride compounds; hydrogen sulfide; and amines. 
     
     
       20. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water surrogate source is selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates; borate salts; carboxylic acids; bicarbonate salts; and allylic alcohols. 
     
     
       21. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is lithium aluminum hydride and the at least one water surrogate source is aluminum hydroxide. 
     
     
       22. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is BH3NH3 and the at least one water surrogate source is aluminum hydroxide. 
     
     
       23. The process of  claim 1 , wherein a first chemical hydride is BH 3 NH 3 , a second chemical hydride is lithium aluminum hydride, and the at least one water surrogate source is aluminum hydroxide. 
     
     
       24. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is lithium borohydride and the at least one water surrogate source is mannitol. 
     
     
       25. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is sodium borohydride and the at least one water surrogate source is sorbitol. 
     
     
       26. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one chemical hydride is lithium hydride and the at least one water surrogate source is fructose. 
     
     
       27. The process of  claim 1 , wherein the exothermic composition is solid. 
     
     
       28. The process of  claim 27 , wherein the exothermic composition is in the form of pellets.